Container and closure therefor



April `21; 1942. G, GLQCKERI l 2,280,070

` CONTAINER AND cLosURE TNEREFOR l Filed' Nov. 29, 1959 v 2 sheets-sheet;

3mm' 'USMVE @oc/ree April 21, 1942. G. GLOCKER CONTAINER AND CLOSURE THEREFOR Filed NOV. 29, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2A raie-med Apr. 21,1942

CONTAINER. AND CLOSURE THEREFOR Gustave Glocker, Washington, D. C., assignor to Super-Seal Container Corporation, Washing- Y ton, D. C., a corporation of Delaware Application November 29, 1939, Serial No, 306,7*46 I *l claims. (ci. 21a-40') This invention Vrelates to so-called self-sealing containers adapted to be maintained in` sealed condition solely by atmospheric pressure, of the general type shown in my Patent No. 2,187,396.

Heretofore a relatively precise fit between the lid, the sealing gasket, and the container mouth,

constituting the primaryelements of such combinations, has been required.V These precise requirements have given rise to serious manufacturing diiliculties and often resulted in the construction of containers which were unsatisfactory in service. l

It is the broad object of this invention to pr'o` vide a construction which eliminates the necessity of providing a precise interfltting of the several parts. lit is also an objectof the invention to provide such constructions which have inherent therein improved sealing characteristics;

PThese broad objects of the invention are at@ `tained by providing a lid for the openrmouth of a container and a gasket or sealing member adapted to be carried by such lid, such sealing.

member-.having a leading edge extending beyond the main body thereof which affords a rela-v tively narrow line area for contact with an annular shoulder provided internally of 1the container near the mouth thereof. The construction eliminates the necessity of precise intertting and provides a clearance between the outer surface of the sealing member and the adjacent l wall of the container at the mouth thereof. The

use of clearance between the lid and the container mouth which permits irregularities in the lid, the sealing member, and the'container mouth, is made possible by the improved sealing effect after the same has beensubjected to a sealing operation; Y y

Figure 5 is a bottom planview of the lid;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional corresponding to Figure 3;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section corresponding to Figure et;l

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectionA of a lid and container structure of a modied form; and

Figure 9 is an enlarged vfragmentary section of a still further modiiied construction.

In the drawings, wherein\ like vreference numerals indicate like parts, is shown a container'v comprising a body portion I0, which is provided with a mouth having a Wall I2terminating in an annular shoulder I4 which is adapted to seat the end of Aa sealing member carried by the lid. The lid I6 has an annular groove I8 spaced inwardly from the peripheral edge. The groove I8 is adapted to seat the outer end of a sealing member. seated in the groove I8. The proportions of the sealing member 2|) are such as to' provide a snug t between the outer faces thereof and the side walls of the lid which denne the -groove I8. f

The lid I E is provided with, a backing wall 2l which depends from the body of the lid and the outer wall of which may define the innermwall vof the groove I8. The backing member 24 is adapted to afford supportv to the sealing memsecured by the leading edgeofthe sealing mem;

ber maintainingits relatively narrow line contact throughout the entire circumferential area of the shoulder at the mouth of the container.

Other objects of the invention and corresponding advantages inherent therein'will become apparent asthe detailed description `is read with reference to the accompanying `drawings in which:

Figure 1` is a vertical sectional view through a lid adapted to close the mouth of a container; Figure 2 is a fragmentary verticalsectional ber 20 throughout a major portionv of its area.

The inner end 26 ofthe sealing member 20 is provided with a leading edge 28 which normally extends beyond the body ofthe sealing member and beyond the inner end of the backing member 2l to adaptsaid leading edge to contact the annular shoulder I4 prior to contact of the outer side 30 thereof with the wall I2 at the mouth of the receptacle' during sealing operations.

The position and the `width of the groove I8 in the lid I6 are so arranged with respect to the walls at the mouth. of' the container to provide viewthrough the body ofa container showing the open mouth at one end thereof;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the lid and container showing the position ofthe lid lon the open mouth of the container prior to the sealing thereof;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the lid and container shown in Figure 3 a slight clearance between the outer face 30 of the sealing member 20 and the wall I2 dening the. mouth of the container.

The construction as described permits effective sealing of a container upon at least partial evacuation of vits interior after the lid has been applied to the mouthof the container. In Figure 3 ofl the drawings is shown the manner `in which the lid IE, the sealing member 20, and the walls I2 and Il at the mouth of the container I0, co-

operate upon placement of the lid upon the mouth of the container prior' toa sealing operation A sealing member 28 has its outer end 22 y which may consist of the partial evacuation of air from within the container.

By reference to Figures 3 and 6, it will be seen that the outer' leading edge 28 at the inner end 26 of the sealing member 20 is in contact with the annular shoulder I4 in such manner as to provide a relatively narrow line contact around the entire circumference of the annular shoulder I4. At the same time, it will be noted that a small annular space remains between the outer face 30 of the sealing member 20 and the mouth defining wall I2 of the container.

Upon contact of the leading edge 28 with the annular shoulder I4, an immediate seal is provided between the cover I6 and the container I0. This relativelyI narrow line annular seal functions effectively as a valve during the egress of air and vapors from within the container.- The ebullition of hot substance within the container or substance heated in the container will be effective to lift the lid I6 sufciently to permit escape of air and vapors from within the container.

Upon the escape lof such air and vapors, and upon the release of internal pressure otherwise, the lid I G will return immediately and under its own weight to the position wherein the leading edge 28 again contacts throughout the circumference of the annular shoulder I4 to form-an effective seal.

The free movement during 'the placement of the lid I6 upon the mouth of the container I0 and during the escape of air and vapor from the interior of the container IIJ is permitted by the clearance provided between the outer face 30 of the sealing member 20 and the oppositely disposed wall I2 defining the mouth of the container. 'Ihis clearance insures, among other things, that the sealing member 20, and particularly the leading edge 28 thereof, is seated against the shoulder I4 at all times. The clearance eliminates all possibility of improper seating of the cover I6 on the mouth of the container.

'I'he still greater consideration of manufacturing convenience is secured by providing the clearance between the face 30 of the sealing member 20 and the wall I2 of the container. It is diflicult to provide molded articles of the very Ipre-- cise form and dimensions required by self-sealatmospheric pressure has been admitted to the interior of the container.

In order to release the lid I6 after the same has once been firmly seated upon the mouth of the container I0, there has been provided a passageway extending through the zone occupied by the sealing member 20, such passageway being adapted to receive and guide a piercing tool effective to permit ingress of atmosphere.

In Figure 5 of the drawings,I is shown a recess 34 which is formed in the underside of the peripheral flange of the lid I6. This passage 34 is located at a point below the bottom of the groove I8 and in alignment with a passage 36 formed by the depending wall 24. The passage 36 opens downwardly into the container I0 when the lid is applied thereto for the purpose of permitting the free flow of external atmosphere through the passage 34 and into the container when the sealing member 20 has been pierced by any suitable piercing instrument.

The objects and advantages of the invention can be secured by other embodiments of the invention which include the several essential characteristi'cs. For example, in Figure 8 of the drawings, is shown al lid wherein a sealing member backing ange 44 has a face 46,which depends substantially in a perpendicular direction with respect to the horizontal plane of the lid. In the form of the invention first described, the Wall of the depending ange 24 which lies in contact' with the sealing member 20 is formed on an inwardly extending bevel, The bevel of the sealing member supporting surface is eective to bias the sealing member 20 sufficiently to project the outer edge 28'at the inner end thereof as shown in Figure 6. `In the form of the invention illustrated member. 44 is substantially perpendicular to the ing containers of the type heretofore known.

The present construction makes it possible to manufacture by simple and speedy molding operations, containers and covers therefor, while directing a minimum amount of attention to the perfect formation thereof. mensions and surface characteristics of the sealing member 20 need not be achieved. because of the construction herein which provides the clearance between the sealing member and theside wall of the container mouth which will compen- Similarly, precise disate for slight irregularities in the container mouth, the lid, or the sealing member. Figures 6 and` 7 contrast the position ofthe lid I6 with respect to the mouth of the jar and the shape and position of'the sealing member 20 with respect to the container and lid walls adjathe mouth of the container I0 as to deform the elastic sealing member 20 against the adjacent walls of the lid and container to form aneifective seal. The seal thus achieved is maintained until the same has been deliberately broken and in Figure 8, wherein the wall 4,6 of the backing the same angular cut.- In such case the bottom wall 50 of the groove I8 in the lid I6 may be formed at a complementary angle to receive the angularly formed outer end ofthe sealing member, as shown in Figure 9. y

It is to be understood that the sealing member 20 is formed of resilient material so that the same will deform readily upon the application of pressure to the lid. Furthermore, while the leading edge at the inner end of the sealing member has been illustrated and described as being located at the outer edge thereof, it is obvious that the important feature is the provision of a leading e'dge providing a narrow line contact with the annular shoulder I4, and that this edge may be located either at the inner or the outer side of the sealing member, or indeed, at any intermediate point thereof.

'I'he embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described for the purpose of teaching the broad features thereof and it is obvious that many modications may be made without departingfrom the'spirit of the invention, and it is understood that changes in the specific construction which do not depart fromy `the spirit of the invention vmouth provided with terminating in an annular shoulder fall within the meaning of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A container comprising a body having a annular shoulder dicularly to said tainer, a lid for disposed substantially perpenbody internally of said consaid container having means adapted to seat the end of a sealing member, a sealing member of substantial rectangular cross section having its outer end seated by said means,

, a backing member depending from saidlid adapted to support the inner side of said sealing member through a major portion of its area, the diameter of the wall at said mouth being sumciently greater than the outside diameter of said sealing member to provide a substantial space betwcenthe adjacent surfaces thereof, and said sealing member having a leading edge 4at the inner end of said sealing member adapted to contact said annular shoulder in sealing engage-V ment prior to contact of the outer side thereof with the wall at said mouth during sealing operations.

2. A container comprising a body havinga mouth provided with a wall terminating in an annular shoulder disposed substantially perpendicularly to said' body internally of said con-. tainer, alid for saidv container, having means adapted tovseat the end of a sealing member, a sealing member of substantially rectangular cross section `having its outer end seated by said means. a backingmember depending from said lid adapta wall terminating in an by said means, and a backing member depending from said lid adapted to of said sealing member through a major portion of its area, the outer side of said sealing member being longerthan the inner side thereof to provide a leading edge at the inner end thereof,

` and a clearance between the outer side of said sealing member and the wall at said mouth to gpermi t the free movement of vsaid leading edge into sealing contact with said 4shoulder' prior to contact with said wall duringsealing operations.

5. A container ycomprising a body having a mouth provided with a wall terminating in an annular shoulder disposed substantially perpendicularly to said body internally of said con- `tainer, .a lid for said container having 4means adapted to seat the yend of a sealing member, a sealing member of substantially trapezoidal cross section having its outer end seated by said means, and a backing member depending from said lid adapted to support the inner side of said sealing diameter of the wall member through a major portion of its area, the

at said mouth being suinciently greater than the outside diameter of said ed t0 Support the inner side of. said sealing member vthrough a major portion of its area, the diameter of the wall at said mouth being sumciently greater than the outside diameter of said' sealing member to provide a substantial space between the adjacent surfaces thereof, and an oute'r edge at the inner end oi' said `sealing member extending beyond the body thereof to adapt the same to contact said annular shoulderin sealing engagement prior to contact of the outer side thereof with the wall at said mouth during sealing operations. y

.3. A container comprising a body having a mouthprovided with a wall terminating in an annular shoulder disposedl substantially perpensealing member dicularly tosaid vbody internally of saidcontainer, a lid for said container having means adapted to seat the end of a sealing member,` a sealing member ofsubstantially trapezoidal cross section having its outer end seated by said means,

and a backing member depending 'from said lid adapted to supportl the inner side of said sealing member through a major portion of its area.` said wall at said mouth having a diameter sumciently greater than the outside diameter o'f said'sealing member to provide a substantial space between adjacent surfaces thereof, the longer side of said sealing member extending downwardly tof provide a' leading edge at the inner end thereof adapted to contact said annularshoulder in sealing en.

gagement prior to'contact of the outer side thereof with the wall at said mouth during sealing operation.

'4. A container comprising a substantially cylind'rical body having a mouth provided with a wall sealing member to provide a substantial space between the adjacent surfacesthereof, said sealing member having its inner end bevelled toprovide a leading edge nular shoulder in sealing engagement prior to contact of the outer sid thereof with the wall at said mouth during sealing operations.

6, A container comprising a substantially cylindrical b ody having a mouth provided with an inwardly bevelled wall terminating in anannular shoulder disposed substantially vperpendicularly to' said body internally of said container, a lid for said container having means adapted to seat the end of 'a sealing member, a sealing member of ,substantially rectangular cross section having its outer end seated by said means, an inwardly bevelled backing member depending from said lid adapted to support the inner side oi' said sealing member and -bias said sealing member to cause `the outer edge at the inner end thereof to extend beyond the inner edge, and a clearance between the wall at said mouth and the outer side of said permitting said extending edge to `contact said shoulder in sealing engagement prior to contact of the outer side thereof with said wall during sealing operations.

1. A. container comprising a body having a mouth provided with a wall terminating in an annular shoulder disposed substantially perpendicularlyto said body, a lid for said containery having means adapted to seat the end of a sealing member, a sealingmember having substantially parallel surfaces defining inner and outer sides Joined by walls defining the outer andinner .ends thereof, said sealing member having its outer'5exidseated by said-sealing member seating means, a backing member depending from said lid adapted to support one-side of said sealing' member through a major portion of its' area, the

` diameter of the wall at said mouth and the diam sub- eter of theadjacent surface of said sealing mem` ber being sumciently different to provide a vsubstantial space between the" adjacent surfaces thereof, and a leading edge at the inner end of said sealing member adapted to contact said ansealing engagement` prior to nular shoulder in contact of the surface thereof with the adjacent wall at said mouth during sealing operations.

support the inner side adapted to contact said anl 

